In the next issue of Guardlife,
you will see a number of stories about the troops of the 42nd
Division
Support Command (DISCOM), who are making history in Iraq as you
read these words.

Through an arrangement with National Guard Bureau, I was able
to follow a number of New Jersey
Soldiers as they went about the business of providing support
to those helping to rebuild a recently
liberated, but still war-torn country.

While there I enjoyed the honor of visiting the fighting
men and women of New Jersey’s National
Guard. By commercial jetliner, C-130 Hercules propeller plane,
UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter, CGalaxy
cargo jet, Humvee, gun truck and by the boots on my feet
I traveled to and around Iraq.

I
witness the profound contributions to the Army and our nation
by members of the 250th Signal
Battalion, the 42nd Military Police Detachment, the 50th
Main Support Battalion, the 42nd Division
Support Command, 119th Corps Support Battalion and the
1-150th Aviation Support Battalion. There was no way I
could tell the full story of all the dedicated men and
women
of the 42nd DISCOM
who are making history in Iraq.

I want to thank DISCOM for all the support that they
gave me and members of the National Guard
Bureau Public Affairs team. Without their help these
stories would not have been possible.